Method and apparatus for automatic notification and response

摘要

A disclosed notification and response system enables applications to communicate with recipients using a number of different media. The notification and response system (i) sends requests to one or more recipients, using the medium specified by each individual recipient; (ii) collects and processes responses; and (iii) forwards the responses to their final destination by means of the medium specified by the final destination. Applications frame requests in at least one supported human language and media format, and the request is delivered to the appropriate recipient(s), according to their preferences. Communication flow expressions specify the recipients for a given request, and how, when and where each recipient shall receive the request. Requests are dynamically updated, and the parameters of a communication flow expression are not evaluated, until the request is delivered. Communication flow rules specify recipient's communication preferences and tailor communication flows to characteristics of the sender, the topic or scheduling constraints.

主权项

1. A method for providing a plurality of messages from a sender to at least one recipient in accordance with a communication flow, said method comprising:
dynamically updating said communication flow when new information is available prior to delivery of said messages, wherein the updating occurs as new information is available until each message is delivered; receiving one of said messages from said sender; evaluating said communication flow, wherein said communication flow specifies at least one preference of said sender for delivering said messages; and processing each message based on said preferences of said sender, wherein the communication flow includes a recipient identified by a role, and wherein the method further comprises binding a recipient name to the role using information in a recipient preference and role database, wherein the binding is delayed until a time of contact with the recipient associated with the role.